US9201399B2 - Timepiece regulating member - Google Patents

Timepiece regulating member Download PDF

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US9201399B2
US9201399B2 US14/423,815 US201314423815A US9201399B2 US 9201399 B2 US9201399 B2 US 9201399B2 US 201314423815 A US201314423815 A US 201314423815A US 9201399 B2 US9201399 B2 US 9201399B2
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torsion wire
regulating member
torsion
wire
tension
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US20150212490A1 (en
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Samuel CORDIER
Edmond Capt
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Blancpain SA
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Blancpain SA
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Assigned to BLANCPAIN S.A. reassignment BLANCPAIN S.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CAPT, EDMOND, Cordier, Samuel
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/10—Oscillators with torsion strips or springs acting in the same manner as torsion strips, e.g. weight oscillating in a horizontal plane
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/02—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a watch regulating member, including at least one balance wheel oscillating about an axis of oscillation and subject to a return torque exerted by torsion return means.
  • the invention also concerns a timepiece including at least one such timepiece movement.
  • the invention concerns the field of timepiece regulating mechanisms.
  • the losses of the regulating member directly affect the quality of operation of a watch as well as its power reserve.
  • the invention endeavours to improve the efficiency of the regulator, by reducing losses, in every position of the watch.
  • said torsion wire includes at least one intermediate plate of greater cross-section than the useful strands of said torsion wire working in torsion, said intermediate plate being fixed to said at least one balance.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view, in a plane through the axis of oscillation of the balance, of a regulating member with a torsion wire according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a similar, schematic view to FIG. 1 of a detail of a timepiece, showing a movement comprising a regulating member according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the blank.
  • FIG. 7 shows a schematic, perspective view of a balance staff mounted on the intermediate plate of the torsion wire of FIG. 5
  • FIG. 7A is a cross-section along a plane perpendicular to the axis of oscillation, passing through the intermediate plate and through a balance staff.
  • FIG. 8 shows, in a similar manner to FIG. 2 , a detail of a movement comprising a regulating member according to a second embodiment of the invention; this regulating member is shown with one part of a removable tool for introducing an equipped module comprising the torsion wire carrying a balance in its middle portion, and anchoring means at its two ends.
  • FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a central portion of the torsion wire anchoring means, formed by a clamp, showing, in a dotted line, an end plate comprised in a torsion wire according to FIG. 5 inserted in a first slot parallel to the axis, and a pin passing through a bore in the end plate and mounted bearing on a V at the opening of a second slot parallel to the axis and orthogonal to the first slot.
  • FIG. 11 shows a schematic view similar to FIG. 9 of a detail of the torsion wire anchoring means, which comprise the clamp of FIG. 10 , held clamped in a concentric bush, this bush comprising angular indexing notches which cooperate with beaks of an orientation and holding strip.
  • FIG. 12 shows a schematic, perspective view of an adjustment lever, also shown in FIG. 8 , enabling a micrometric travel to be applied to the clamp of FIG. 10 by reducing a motion imparted by a screw at one end of the adjustment lever; the adjustment lever includes, in immediate proximity to a fixed point of attachment on a bridge, an area of reduced cross-section giving the adjustment lever sufficient elasticity.
  • FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a watch including a movement comprising a movement which in turn comprises a regulating member according to the invention.
  • the invention proposes to improve the performance of the regulating member of a watch.
  • the invention proposes in particular:
  • a torsion wire is arranged in the direction of the highest accelerations present, particularly the force of gravity in the case of a pendulum.
  • This axial arrangement of the wire relative to the local vertical is a constant feature of timepieces intended for the display of time.
  • Known mechanisms are not suitable for the case of a watch, which may take any orientation in space and relative to the motions of the user.
  • torsion wire pendulums use metallic torsion wires, which are sufficient for the applications concerned, and there is no suggestion regarding the use of other materials.
  • a torsion wire therefore needs to be developed with one or more useful portions (subjected to torsion to exert an elastic return torque) of very short lengths, compatible with the thickness of a watch movement.
  • the total length LT of the torsion wire to be used is several millimeters, preferably less than 6 millimeters, and less than 5 millimeters in the example embodiment described here, and the useful length LL of the torsion wire is even shorter, this useful length LL may result from the accumulation of several primary useful lengths of sections of the torsion wire, as will be seen below.
  • each section working in torsion is then necessarily greatly reduced, typically between approximately 2 and 4 millimeters, and the cross-sections will be on the order of a few micrometers, typically between 20 and 40 micrometers.
  • the problem of the invention consists, not only in defining a material suitable for producing such a torsion wire, but also in developing a shape which can be achieved using reliable and reproducible industrial manufacturing methods, which is particularly difficult in the field of micro-technology, and with materials not specifically devised for horology.
  • the invention therefore concerns a timepiece regulating member 1 , comprising at least one balance 2 , said balance 2 oscillates about an axis of oscillation D and is subjected to a return torque exerted by torsion return means 4 alternately in the two directions of oscillation.
  • this regulating member 1 is devised for a watch, particularly a wristwatch, which imposes specific constraints as regards compactness and resistance to accelerations.
  • This balance 2 may, in a non-limiting manner, be made in different shapes: a disc, annular, provided with inertia blocks, or reduced to a simple beam.
  • the invention proposes to remove the pivots, responsible for at least 90% of the friction in an oscillator.
  • the friction torque of a pivot is proportional to the radius of the pivot. A large radius causes large vertical losses. Thus, where a conventional pivot is used, it is necessary to reduce the radius below a very small value, close to 0.050 mm.
  • this at least one balance 2 comprises attachment means 10 causing the balance to oscillate integrally with at least one torsion wire 5 .
  • This torsion wire 5 forms said torsion return means 4 specific to this at least one balance 2 .
  • the use of such a torsion wire 5 makes a balance staff redundant, and therefore removes the need for pivots.
  • the example embodiments illustrated comprise only one balance. In the case where several balances are juxtaposed, they may be connected rigidly, or by an intermediate section of the same torsion wire, this intermediate section may or may not be used in torsion.
  • This torsion wire 5 preferably has a modulus of elasticity of more than 100 GPa, and preferably more than 120 GPa, and an elastic limit of more than 2000 MPa.
  • These specific characteristics of the torsion wire are the result of long, complex experimentation, due to development difficulties and the very small micrometric dimensions of torsion wire 5 , and they form a specific characteristic of a wire used in a specific regulating member.
  • Micrometric dimensions means here the dimensions of a wire wherein the largest dimension of the cross-section of the useful part (as the part of wire subjected to torsion will be referred to hereafter) is several micrometers or several tens of micrometers, and in any event less than 100 micrometers, and wherein the smallest dimension of the cross-section of the useful part is several micrometers or several tens of micrometers, and in any event less than 50 micrometers.
  • torsion wire is a good alternative to the usual pivot, its dimensions may be much reduced, in particular the largest dimension of the cross-section of the useful part is preferably less than 0.040 mm, namely a radius value of less than 0.020 mm.
  • the choice of a high modulus of elasticity ensures good rigidity of the torsion wire, and determines the quality of its suspended support of the balance. Moreover, the geometry of such a torsion wire ensure the axiality of the balance. Proper tensioning of the torsion wire ensures equality of tension on both sides of the balance.
  • a metallic glass is entirely appropriate here; it also makes it possible to obtain a sufficient angular amplitude for the balance, namely approximately 100°, divided approximately into: 50° for cooperation with the escape wheel, and 50° for the entries/exits of the maintenance system.
  • torsion wire 5 It is also possible to employ a torsion wire 5 with lower characteristics than the preferred characteristics cited above. In any event, the modulus of elasticity must be greater than 60 GPa, and the elastic limit greater than 1000 MPa.
  • the ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the upper elastic limit is advantageously comprised between 40 and 80, and preferably close to 60.
  • the ratio between the free length LL of torsion wire 5 i.e. the length over which it is unhindered and can twist and vibrate freely, and the largest dimension LG of the cross-section of its useful part is advantageously comprised between 80 and 150 and preferably close to 115.
  • regulating member For good operating efficiency of torsion wire 5 , regulating member includes means 400 for tensioning torsion wire 5 . In preferred embodiments, such as those set out below, regulating member 1 also includes tension adjustment means 20 for the tension of torsion wire 5 which are arranged to act on tensioning means 400 .
  • balance 2 comprises a rim 29 forming an inertia block, which oscillates integrally with a balance staff 3 .
  • This staff 3 is tubular, so as to allow torsion wire 5 to pass through, and includes a first bore 31 and a second bore 32 , separated by an area of reduced cross-section, for example a shoulder 33 , as seen in FIG. 2 .
  • the first bore 31 and second bore 32 have different diameters and shoulder 33 is formed simply by the surface which joins one bore to the other.
  • Means of attachment 10 may consist, in a non-limiting manner, of a connecting element 6 fixed to torsion wire 5 by crimping, clamping, driving in, bonding, brazing, welding or another suitable method ensuring sufficient hold to resist the maximum operating torque and high accelerations, typically on the order of 5000 g, occurring during any shocks to the timepiece receiving regulating member 1 .
  • connection element 6 includes a passage 61 for torsion wire 5 , in which the wire is immobilised, and further includes a support 63 arranged to cooperate in abutment on shoulder 33 .
  • connection element 6 is not pre-crimped on torsion wire 5 , it is only crimped after wire 5 has been inserted into the bore in staff 3 and suitably positioned.
  • balance 2 advantageously comprises, on both sides of attachment means 10 along axis of oscillation D, first 15 and second 16 means of limiting the radial clearance between torsion wire 5 and balance 2 .
  • clearance limiting means may be fitted to a movement 100 , on a plate 7 and a bridge 8 between which balance 2 oscillates, in place of or in addition to the first 15 and second 16 means of limiting the radial clearance between torsion wire 5 and balance 2 .
  • first 15 and second 16 clearance limiting means are formed by jewels comprising a passage corresponding to the diameter of the largest radial dimension of torsion wire 5 .
  • these jewels each include a bore whose diameter is very slightly larger than the diagonal of the torsion wire cross-section, having a value that is preferably comprised within a range at the diagonal of the cross-section of the torsion wire, and in a specific embodiment, greater than or equal to 10 micrometers.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of metallic glass, or of an at least partially amorphous alloy formed only of zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium, and comprising between 41 and 44% by mass of zirconium, between 11 and 14% by mass of titanium, between 9 and 13% by mass of copper, between 10 and 11% by mass of nickel, and between 22 and 25% by mass of beryllium.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of “LM1b” produced by “Liquidmetal”, a material which has a Young's modulus of 98 GPa and an elastic limit of 1700 MPa.
  • This metallic glass has the advantage of combining high modulus of elasticity and elastic limit values.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of the metallic glass “LM10” produced by “Liquidmetal” ⁇ .
  • torsion wire 5 is made of metallic glass, or an at least partially amorphous alloy comprising by mass 75.44% of nickel, 13% chromium, 4.2% iron, 4.5% silicon, 0.06% carbon, and 2.8% boron.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of the metallic glass referenced “MBF20” produced by “Metglas®”.
  • the Young's modulus of “MBF20” is close to 140 GPa and its elastic limit is approximately 2500 MPa.
  • a torsion wire 5 with a total useful length LL of 4.2 mm, and a cross-section of the useful part of 37 ⁇ 20 micrometers gives good isochronism results for a 5 Hz oscillator with a balance having inertia of 12 mg ⁇ cm2.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of silicon and/or silicon oxide.
  • torsion wire 5 is made of single crystal diamond or polycrystalline diamond.
  • Embodiments with a torsion wire made of micromachinable material also permit, as seen in FIG. 3 , a one-piece silicon or similar frame to be made, with tension adjustment on an anchor of torsion wire 5 .
  • the complete structure 40 can be made, preferably in one-piece, of silicon or similar.
  • This structure 40 includes a rigid frame 41 , in which torsion wire 5 is stretched, balance 2 is made in the form of a beam here.
  • FIG. 4 shows a variant comprising tension adjustment means 20 for torsion wire 5 made, for example, in the form of a cam 43 or a wedge inserted in a slot 42 or similar.
  • Movement 100 may comprise a plurality of tension adjustment means 20 , particularly two, arranged substantially symmetrically relative to axis of oscillation D, so as to displace bridge 8 parallel to plate 7 ; otherwise, a column guide can be used to ensure parallelism with a single tension adjustment screw 22 .
  • torsion wire 5 has a rectangular or square cross-section.
  • a square cross-section more specifically, ensures the same behaviour of the regulating member in every position of the timepiece in which it is incorporated.
  • the useful, active part of torsion wire 5 may have a square cross-section with 30 micrometer sides made of metallic glass, or 27 micrometer sides made of silicon.
  • the choice of the cross-section shape is dictated by production constraints (shaping the above selected materials being particularly difficult in these small dimensions), and by achieving high performance levels, other profiles may be implemented: a triangle, hexagon, polygon, circle, ellipsis, or other shape.
  • the difficulty of producing a micrometric torsion wire, as defined above is such that reliable and repetitive production of the torsion wire is a problem in itself, and choosing cross-section profiles that are difficult to produce only makes the problem of repetitive production more difficult to overcome.
  • the material of torsion wire 5 is chosen such that torsion wire 5 has a modulus of elasticity (particularly transverse) in a direction perpendicular to axis of oscillation D, greater than 100 GPa, and preferably greater than 120 GPa.
  • This condition is achieved with an embodiment made of an aforecited at least partially amorphous alloy, or made of the “Liquidmetal ⁇ ” metallic glass referenced “LM1b”, or of the “Metglas®” metallic glass referenced “MBF20”.
  • Regulating member 1 preferably includes, for embedding torsion wire 5 and for forming means 400 for tensioning torsion wire 5 , means 30 of anchoring regulating member 1 .
  • These anchoring means 30 include: at a first end of torsion wire 5 first anchoring means 301 and/or, at a second end of torsion wire 5 opposite to the first, second anchoring means 302 .
  • These first anchoring means 301 and second anchoring means 302 define together axis of oscillation D of regulating member 1 .
  • the invention also concerns a timepiece movement 100 comprising at least one such regulating member 1 , oscillating between a plate 7 and a bridge 8 .
  • this movement 100 comprises, for embedding torsion wire 5 , and for forming means 400 for tensioning torsion wire 5 , means 30 for anchoring regulating member 1 .
  • First anchoring means 301 are fixed to bridge 8 and second anchoring means 302 are fixed to plate 7 .
  • the first means 301 for anchoring torsion wire 5 to bridge 8 include a first clamp 11 , particularly a slit clamp comprising a slot 114 for the passage of torsion wire 5 .
  • This first clamp 11 includes a bearing surface 111 facing balance 2 and which is arranged to bear on a complementary bearing surface 91 comprised in bridge 8 or, as shown in FIG. 2 , an orientable support 9 placed on bridge 8 .
  • This orientable support 9 is preferably, but not restrictively, driven onto bridge 8 with sufficient friction to hold it in position. It can be oriented in the manner of a stud-holder, which permits fine adjustment of the alignment of guide-marks on the impulse pin, the fork and the escapement line. This orientable support may, also, be held in its angularly adjusted position by holding means, not shown in the Figure.
  • FIG. 2 shows orientable support 9 provided with a shoulder 93 cooperating in abutment with an upper surface 89 of bridge 8 .
  • tension adjustment means 20 in an embodiment with a cannon-pinion for example.
  • the first clamp 11 further includes a male cone 113 which cooperates with a female cone 123 , open towards balance 2 and comprised in a first bush 12 .
  • This first bush 12 includes an external thread 122 , which cooperates with an internal thread 92 of orientable support 9 .
  • first clamp 11 clamps torsion wire 5 and immobilises the end of the wire, at the same time that bearing surface 111 of first clamp 11 is bearing on complementary bearing surface 91 .
  • the second means 302 for anchoring torsion wire 5 to plate 7 comprise a second clamp 13 , particularly a slit clamp comprising a slot 134 for the passage of torsion wire 5 .
  • This second clamp 13 includes a bearing surface 131 facing balance 2 , and which is arranged to bear on a complementary bearing surface 71 comprised, on this side, directly in plate 7 .
  • the second clamp 13 also includes a male cone 133 which cooperates with a female cone 143 open towards balance 2 and comprised in a second bush 14 .
  • This second bush 14 includes an external thread 142 which cooperates with an internal thread 72 of plate 7 .
  • material is melted around wire 5 so as to form a bump, which is stopped when the opposite end of the wire is pulled, in a conical well or spherical dish or suchlike, blocking the bump.
  • torsion wire 5 is achieved by crimping.
  • torsion wire 5 provided with attachment means 10 fixed in position, is inserted into staff 3 of balance 2 , which is provided with a rim 29 , rollers and impulse pins. Wire 5 is pulled and stopped between bearing surface 63 and shoulder 33 .
  • a second end of torsion wire 5 on the side of plate 7 , is inserted into second clamp 13 and pre-clamped in position, by means of second bush 14 .
  • a first end of wire 5 on the side of bridge 8 , is inserted into first clamp 11 and pre-clamped in position, by means of second bush 12 .
  • Action on first bush 12 and second bush 14 permits adjustment of the clearance, on the plate 7 side, of balance 2 relative to plate 7 and to the components carried thereby, and thereby ensures pre-traction of wire 5 .
  • regulating member 1 also includes shock-resistant means 34 limiting the radial travel of staff 3 .
  • shock-resistant means 34 form an “incabloc” type safety system and may be multiple, disposed on different levels of staff 3 in direction D, and be made in the form of a jewel, or means of magnetic and/or electrostatic repulsion of an opposing surface 35 comprised in staff 3 .
  • Such means 34 can advantageously be located on first 15 and second 16 clearance limiting means of torsion wire 5 .
  • timepiece movement 100 thus includes means of adjusting the tension 20 of torsion wire 5 by adjustment of the distance between bridge 8 and another component, either plate 7 , or a bent strip (particularly at least one of anchors 301 or 302 ) to perform this adjustment, or similar.
  • the tension adjustment is performed by means of at least one spring.
  • these tension adjustment means 20 include a threaded bush 23 which cooperates in a complementary manner with an internal thread 74 of plate 7 .
  • At least one screw 22 cooperating with a nut 5 integral with plate 7 is arranged to push bridge 8 towards plate 7 , bearing on bush 23 in its adjustment position.
  • This screw 22 cooperates, via an external thread 221 comprised therein, with an internal thread 251 of a nut 25 which is driven into a housing 77 of plate 7 , or which is an integral part thereof.
  • This screw 22 is concentric to a threaded bush 23 , whose external thread 24 cooperates in a complementary manner with an internal thread 74 of plate 7 .
  • Bush 23 tends to move away from plate 7 under the action of an elastic return means 21 , such as a conical spring, Belleville spring, Schnorr washer, or suchlike, bearing both on a bearing surface 76 of plate 7 and on a bearing surface 232 of bush 23 which has a collar 233 arranged to exert a thrust force on a bearing surface 1 of bridge 8 .
  • an elastic return means 21 such as a conical spring, Belleville spring, Schnorr washer, or suchlike
  • a lower surface 225 of the head of screw 22 bears on an upper bearing surface 82 of bridge 8 , a lower bearing surface 81 of bridge 8 cooperates in abutment with an upper bearing surface 231 of bush 23 .
  • the position of bridge 8 determines the tension of wire 5 .
  • the adjustment limit is provided by an upper surface 78 of plate 7 and a lower surface 88 of bridge 8 .
  • the tension in the torsion wire is greater than 0.1 N; in fact the tension must be ensured with less than 5 micrometers displacement in vertical direction.
  • adjustments are performed such that the maximum tolerable bending in the vertical position is less than or equal to 5 micrometers.
  • Torsion return means 4 operate in torsion, but are also subjected to bending, under the effect of torque imparted by the balance, or by the movement and transmitted by the balance. It is preferable to minimise bending deformations, and to ensure that the torsion return means 4 , especially when formed by a torsion wire 5 , do not have a vibration antinode at the point of attachment to balance 2 .
  • torsion wire 5 includes, in an advantageous embodiment seen in FIGS. 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 and 11 , at least one intermediate plate 53 . The cross-section of this intermediate plate 53 is greater than the useful strands 51 , 52 of torsion wire 5 operating in torsion, described below.
  • This intermediate plate 53 is located at the attachment to balance 2 , preferably in the median portion of torsion wire 5 , or to each balance 2 if there are several. The value is thus moved away from natural bending modes (natural frequency on the order of 600 Hz to be compared to the 5 to 10 Hz of the oscillator). This intermediate plate 53 also strengthens the attachment of balance 2 .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates such a torsion wire 5 in an advantageous embodiment where the torsion wire includes such an intermediate plate 53 between two strands 51 and 52 . These strands 51 and 52 each form a free torsional portion.
  • torsion wire 5 includes, at the ends of these strands 51 and 52 opposite intermediate plate 53 , end plates 54 and 56 , particularly provided with bores or holes 55 and 57 , for anchoring torsion wire 5 and maintaining the tension thereof. It is clear that the useful part of torsion wire 5 is then formed by strand 51 and strand 52 .
  • the total useful length LL is here the sum of the useful lengths LU 1 and LU 2 of strands 51 and 52 .
  • FIG. 6 A good solution is seen in FIG. 6 and lies in the use of a blank 50 formed more rigidly than the finished torsion wire 5 , so as to allow for manipulation by an operator or by an automated operator, and the insertion thereof in the oscillator.
  • This blank includes breakable stiffeners 58 possibly delimited by brittle areas 59 . These breakable stiffeners 58 are broken after assembly and removed from the mechanism. In the specific and non-limiting variant illustrated by FIG. 6 , these stiffeners 58 are parallel to strands 51 and 52 of torsion wire 5 , on both sides thereof.
  • FIG. 7 shows a balance staff 3 mounted on intermediate plate 53 of torsion wire 5 of FIG. 5 .
  • Staff 3 may advantageously be in several concentric parts: a central part comprising at least one housing 36 for receiving intermediate plate 53 , this central part may comprise a pin housing for the axial positioning of the balance relative to the wire, if intermediate part 53 also includes a housing for such a pin; this central part may be formed as a clamp, by means of at least one elastic slot, and be enclosed by a bush forming a peripheral part of staff 3 and immobilising the clamp by clamping, and thus immobilising intermediate part 53 of torsion wire 5 .
  • Housing 36 may take the form of a groove with parallel surfaces, or, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 7A , of a locating with a square female profile, or similar, and preferably housing 36 includes at least one slot or similar, not shown in the Figures, conferring thereon elasticity enabling torsion wire 5 to be held without being damaged.
  • intermediate plate 53 is driven into a housing of square or rectangular cross-section in staff 3 , and held by bonding or similar.
  • FIGS. 8 to 12 illustrate a second embodiment, which is simple to produce and allows for modular pre-assembly.
  • This second embodiment incorporates the features of the torsion wire set out above.
  • Regulating member 1 according to this second embodiment includes at least one adjustment lever 75 , 85 for tension adjustment of at least one of the end anchors 301 , 302 of torsion wire 5 forming tension adjustment means 20 .
  • FIG. 8 shows first anchoring means 301 intended to clamp an end plate 54 of torsion wire 5 of FIG. 5 , and tension adjustment means.
  • the first anchoring means 301 include a clamp 11 clamped by a bush 110 .
  • FIG. 10 shows this clamp 11 in which are shown, in dotted lines, an end plate 54 comprised in a torsion wire 5 according to FIG. 5 inserted in a first slot 115 parallel to the axis, and a pin 117 passing through a bore 55 in said end plate 54 and mounted in abutment on a V 116 at the opening of a second slot 113 parallel to axis D and orthogonal to first slot 115 .
  • Clamp 11 includes an axial passage 114 for torsion wire 5 to pass through.
  • the first anchoring means 301 also include a bush 110 concentric to clamp 11 , visible in FIGS. 8 and 11 and gripping clamp 11 .
  • This bush 110 comprises angular indexing notches 112 which cooperate with beaks 830 of an orientation and holding strip 83 seen in FIGS. 8 , 9 and 11 , and fixed to bridge 8 by a screw 801 .
  • the second anchoring means 302 include a clamp 13 enclosed in a bush 130 , angularly held by the beaks 730 of a strip 73 fixed to plate 7 by a screw 701 .
  • FIG. 8 shows tension adjustment means 20 for the tension of torsion wire 5 of this second embodiment.
  • These means 20 include at least one adjustment lever 85 on the bridge side, and/or an adjustment lever 75 on the plate side, acting in each case in abutment on the respective bush 11 , 13 , to modify the position thereof.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates such an adjustment lever 85 , which can apply a micrometric travel to clamp 11 by reducing a motion imparted by a screw 45 , passing through bridge 8 , in an internal thread 850 comprised in adjustment lever 85 , along an axis D 2 at one end of adjustment lever 85 .
  • End 453 of screw 45 abuts on a small connecting rod 44 fixed to plate 7 .
  • This adjustment lever 85 includes, in immediate proximity to fixed points of attachment by screws 851 passing through bores 852 along axes D 1 and in mesh with bridge 8 , at least one area of reduced cross-section 854 , such as a groove, conferring sufficient elasticity on said adjustment lever 85 .
  • an arm 853 or two arms 853 according to the configuration illustrated here, presses on bush 11 and allows fine adjustment of the tension of torsion wire 5 .
  • Adjustment lever 75 comprises an internal thread 750 along an axis D 4 cooperating with a screw 702 passing through plate 7 .
  • Adjustment lever 75 includes, in immediate proximity to fixed attachment points by screws 751 passing through bores 752 along axes D 3 and in mesh with plate 7 , at least one area of reduced cross-section 754 .
  • the reduction ratio of lever 85 on the bridge side is equal to A 2 /A 1 , A 2 being the distance between axes D 1 and D 2 , and A 1 the distance between axes D 1 and D.
  • the reduction ratio of lever 75 on the plate side is equal to A 4 /A 3 , A 4 being the distance between axes D 3 and D 4 , and A 3 the distance between axes D 3 and D.
  • the traction force applied to wire 5 is approximately 0.5 N per side.
  • lever 75 on the plate side allows prestressing to be performed
  • lever 85 on the bridge side allows fine adjustment (and frequency adjustment) to be performed.
  • the reduction ratios are different on the bridge side and on the plate side.
  • the materials chosen for lever 85 on the bridge side, and for lever 75 on the plate side have different thermal expansion coefficients.
  • FIG. 8 shows another thermal compensation means, formed by inserting a small connecting rod 44 between, on the one hand, plate 7 or bridge 8 respectively, and on the other hand, the opposite adjustment lever 85 , respectively 75 , the expansion of this connecting rod 44 thus modifies the position of the lever 85 or 75 concerned, and consequently, corrects the pressure on the corresponding bush 11 , 13 , and the tension of wire 5 .
  • this connecting rod 44 is embedded in plate 7 in a counterbore 452 .
  • This connecting rod 44 is that on which end 453 of adjustment screw 45 of lever 85 bears. Lower surface 451 of the head of screw 45 is remote from a counterbore 8 A of bridge 8 , with play J.
  • the choice of material of connecting rod 44 makes it possible to compensate for the thermal effect, the expansion of connecting rod 44 modifying the bearing position of end 453 and thus the position of adjustment lever 85 and abutment on clamp 11 .
  • the invention permits the production of an independent equipped module 300 , comprising torsion wire 5 carrying at least one balance 2 in the median portion, and anchoring means 301 and 302 at the two ends thereof.
  • the first anchoring means 301 are used for embedding the end of a first useful strand 51 of torsion wire 5 and second anchoring means 302 are used for embedding the end of a second useful strand 52 of torsion wire 5 , first useful strand 51 and second useful strand 52 being on both sides of at least one balance 2 .
  • FIG. 8 also shows one part of a removable tool 401 for introducing such an equipped module 300 .
  • Bush 110 comprises a groove 111 with which a lip 87 of this tool 401 cooperates.
  • a lip 77 of tool 401 can cooperate with a groove 131 of bush 130 gripping clamp 13 of the second anchoring means 302 .
  • plate 7 and bridge 8 are each configured with a lateral opening to allow the lateral insertion of such an equipped module, bushes 110 and 130 being carried over a semi-cylinder in this specific variant.
  • Beaks 87 and 77 act as a fork to permit insertion and positioning, it is then sufficient to adjust the tension via adjustment levers 85 and 75 , and to perform angular indexing via strips 83 and 73 .
  • FIG. 9 shows another removable tool 402 formed by two screws for temporary holding in the theoretical angular position for the initial assembly.
  • Each screw enables beaks 830 , 730 to be moved away from the strip 83 , 73 concerned during insertion of the module, the disassembly of each screw releases the corresponding beaks and permits angular indexing.
  • FIG. 9 also illustrates, more specifically, a variant with angular indexing to the guide-mark.
  • Arm 83 is held by screw 801 , not in a bore, but a hole 831 and screw 801 limits the angular motion of strip 83 at angle ⁇ . This permits fine adjustment of the alignment of the guide-marks of the impulse pin, fork and escapement line.
  • regulating member 1 comprises at least one component, here a small connecting rod 44 , embedded in a housing 452 of plate 7 and which lengthens at the same time as torsion return means 4 , particularly torsion wire 5 .
  • the invention also concerns a timepiece 200 including at least one such timepiece movement 100 .
  • this timepiece 200 is a watch. More specifically this watch 200 is provided with a regulating member 1 , which oscillates at a frequency higher than or equal to 5 Hz and makes the best use of the advantages of regulating member 1 with torsion wire 5 according to the invention.
  • the torsion pendulum has, in theory, perfect isochronism, and the solution implemented by the invention provides a satisfactory answer to obtain regularity of working of the watch in every position.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
US14/423,815 2012-09-03 2013-09-03 Timepiece regulating member Active US9201399B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12182816.4 2012-09-03
EP12182816.4A EP2703911B1 (fr) 2012-09-03 2012-09-03 Organe régulateur de montre
EP12182816 2012-09-03
PCT/EP2013/068126 WO2014033309A2 (fr) 2012-09-03 2013-09-03 Organe régulateur d'horlogerie

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20150212490A1 US20150212490A1 (en) 2015-07-30
US9201399B2 true US9201399B2 (en) 2015-12-01

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US14/423,815 Active US9201399B2 (en) 2012-09-03 2013-09-03 Timepiece regulating member

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Country Link
US (1) US9201399B2 (xx)
EP (2) EP2703911B1 (xx)
JP (1) JP6078156B2 (xx)
KR (1) KR101777484B1 (xx)
CN (1) CN104769509B (xx)
HK (1) HK1212049A1 (xx)
RU (1) RU2625733C2 (xx)
WO (1) WO2014033309A2 (xx)

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US20160011567A1 (en) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-14 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
US20160011566A1 (en) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-14 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
TWI709009B (zh) * 2016-03-14 2020-11-01 瑞士商路威酩軒瑞士製造股份有限公司 用於鐘錶的機構，手錶機芯和包含這種機構的鐘錶

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CH712726A2 (fr) * 2016-07-21 2018-01-31 Montres Breguet Sa Oscillateur balancier-spiral d'horlogerie à pivot magnétique.
CH713288A1 (fr) 2016-12-23 2018-06-29 Sa De La Manufacture Dhorlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Composant monolithique flexible pour pièce d'horlogerie.
EP3379342B1 (fr) * 2017-03-22 2022-07-20 Officine Panerai AG Dispositif comportant un ressort de réglage rapide coopérant avec un mobile d'une pièce d'horlogerie
EP3422118B1 (fr) * 2017-06-30 2020-02-26 Montres Breguet S.A. Dispositif de fixation d'un bracelet
EP3502803B1 (fr) * 2017-12-19 2020-08-05 Omega SA Ensemble réglable d'horlogerie
CN111061140A (zh) * 2018-10-17 2020-04-24 精工爱普生株式会社 钟表壳体以及钟表
CN109283830A (zh) * 2018-11-20 2019-01-29 深圳智芯科技有限公司 一种减少走时误差的方法、系统和计时装置
CN114964588B (zh) * 2022-05-20 2024-08-27 中国人民解放军国防科技大学 一种扭摆式微推力测量装置和方法

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160011567A1 (en) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-14 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
US20160011566A1 (en) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-14 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
US9323222B2 (en) * 2014-07-14 2016-04-26 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
US9541902B2 (en) * 2014-07-14 2017-01-10 Nivarox-Far S.A. Flexible timepiece guidance
TWI709009B (zh) * 2016-03-14 2020-11-01 瑞士商路威酩軒瑞士製造股份有限公司 用於鐘錶的機構，手錶機芯和包含這種機構的鐘錶

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KR20150052236A (ko) 2015-05-13
JP2015530569A (ja) 2015-10-15
WO2014033309A2 (fr) 2014-03-06
US20150212490A1 (en) 2015-07-30
EP2893404A2 (fr) 2015-07-15
JP6078156B2 (ja) 2017-02-08
WO2014033309A4 (fr) 2014-06-12
CN104769509B (zh) 2017-06-16
CN104769509A (zh) 2015-07-08
RU2625733C2 (ru) 2017-07-18
KR101777484B1 (ko) 2017-09-11
RU2015112142A (ru) 2016-10-20
EP2703911A1 (fr) 2014-03-05
EP2703911B1 (fr) 2018-04-11
EP2893404B1 (fr) 2016-07-06
HK1212049A1 (en) 2016-06-03
WO2014033309A3 (fr) 2014-04-24

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